Manziel being evaluated for shoulder injury

COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M receiver Malcome Kennedy said he heard quarterback Johnny Manziel tell his trainers and coaches in the fourth quarter, “I’ve got to go in. I’ve got to play.”

Trainers were evaluating the right (throwing) shoulder of Manziel, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, following Auburn’s wild 45-41 victory at Kyle Field on Saturday afternoon. Manziel hurt his shoulder after he was slammed into the grass on a tackle following an 8-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter.

He headed to a trainer table under the Kyle stands for a bit, then winced on the sidelines while throwing the ball, but returned after missing a series to try and guide another Aggies comeback. While Manziel passed plenty in his return, his ball lacked zip on his final series, and the Tigers sacked him late in a final desperation drive to sock away the upset.

A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said Manziel told him “he was ready to go” in reentering the game. The No. 7 Aggies, who will drop out of the top 10 following the setback to No. 24 Auburn, next play host to Vanderbilt in a week in the second of four consecutive home games.